Missing Frank the peacock ruffling owner’s feathers as hunt continues for big bird

Frank, a large Indian Blue Neck Peacock, took a wrong turn out of his home at Old Flatts Farm in Treeton on May 4 and has been giving his owner Chris Beckett the runaround since.

Residents have been helping with the search after Chris posted an appeal on Facebook, using the hashtag #FrankIsOutThere.

“It’s become a bit of an ongoing saga!” said Chris.

“He’s being a bit cheeky.

“Everyone keeps asking how he is or if we’ve found him yet and sending me map locations – it became a bit of a treasure hunt on Facebook in a really nice way. Treeton has really come together over it.”

Although there have been several sightings of Frank and Chris had managed to usher him back to nearer the farm, the big bird has since disappeared again into some undergrowth.

“I left him as I thought he would come out in his own time, which he did and then a few days later he was spotted on somebody’s driveway," said Chris.

 “I couldn’t get to him as I didn’t think it would be wise to be jumping over people’s fences on a Sunday morning!”

Chris said the trail had gone quiet recently, but this morning (Wednesday) he was sniffing out another tip-off.

“I’m anxious to get him back as he’s my pet. I don’t think anybody would hurt him but there are predators out there, like foxes, that put him in a vulnerable position,” he said.

Chris runs a pet crematorium business from the family farm and said Frank, along with his other farmyard animals, brought pleasure to customers whose pets had died.

He said: “People find solace in other animals, and seeing things like peacocks can turn a sad situation around. Most customers leave with a smile on their face, and Frank is an important part of what we do.

“He’s not been with us long and is just finding his feet.”

Chris said 18-month old Frank loved peanuts and when his feathers were fully formed they could double in length, spanning up to 6ft.

“The warm weather makes them docile too - he’s not a flyer, he hops,” added Chris.

“They’re quite vain birds, so if he finds a garden that has patio doors and he can see his reflection he will stand there and spread his feathers and do his dance to himself.

“If he comes across other birds he will more than likely hang around with them for a bit.”

If you spot Frank call Chris on 07971 255346.